Hello Ines,

I'm sure you're not the only person that carries a bit of guilt regarding ancestors. But we're not even sure they were your Owen family.

I'm not bitter. I've always known that part of my family were brought from Africa as slaves. As you may know, Afro-Cubans aren't usually as hung up on the slavery/prejudice thing as African Americans.

It was what happened. I'm proud of my family, what they might have gone through, and my Afro-Cuban heritage which has given so much to the culture of my country. I'm also proud that I can trace my lineage back that far and know that I'm only 3 generations removed and worlds ahead of those times.

Don't be shocked, or upset. Oh, by the way, so you know, there is a 100 year old great aunt of one of my cousins living in Bethesda, Maryland, who is an Owen. She's amazingly clear and has the history of my family in her head. My cousin even recorded her once. Pretry cool, no?

:) thanks for touching base with me. Feel free to email again.

ivis